Ahanmisi, Chauca show way as Adamson overwhelms Diakhite-less UE

Jerrick Ahanmisi exploded for 28 points as the Adamson University hacked out a 91-80 win over the University of the East Red Warriors, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The senior sniper buried seven treys — easily his season-best — to go with four assists, two rebounds, and two blocks as the Soaring Falcons strung back-to-back wins to rise to 2-1.

Jerom Lastimosa contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Meanwhile, Valandre Chauca also scored 13 points built on a pair of triples, alongside four assists and two rebounds.

Congolese center Lenda Douanga also notched 11 points, 16 rebounds, an assist, and a block for the streaking Adamson.

Chemistry, however, remains elusive for the Soaring Falcons. Coach Franz Pumaren lamented his young team’s struggles to churn out a dominant win.

“This is our third game, but we’re really struggling chemistry-wise. Even if we won our second straight for that matter, we’re still trying to figure out the right combinations,” he said.

That much was clear as Adamson lost hold of a 74-59 lead in the final 8:23. Rey Suerte and Jed Mendoza rallied UE to seven, 82-75, with three minutes left to play.

The Soaring Falcons needed key buckets from Chauca and Douanga, as well as charities from Douanga and Ahanmisi to finish off the pesky Red Warriors.

Suerte carried UE in his back with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals as it played sans the ailing Senegalese big man Alex Diakhite.

Jed Mendoza also tallied 17 points, four assists, and three boards as the Red Warriors sunk to 0-3.

Adamson next face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a rematch of last season’s Final Four match-up on Sunday, September 15, at 4:00pm. Meanwhile, UE go up against the De La Salle University Green Archers the day before, September 14, at 2;00pm. Both games are at the MOA Arena.

The Scores:

ADU 91 — Ahanmisi 28, Lastimosa 16, Chauca 13, Douanga 11, Fermin 5, Bernardo 4, Camacho 4, Magbuhos 4, Orquez 4, Yerro 2, Flowers 0, Manlapaz 0, Mojica 0, Zaldivar 0.

UE 80 — Suerte 20, Mendoza 17, Apacible 15, Conner 13, Manalang 5, Tolentino 4, Abanto 3, Antiporda 3, Beltran 0, Cruz 0, Sawat 0.

Quarterscores: 19-21, 44-38, 66-57, 91-80.